Amandine's Letter: A Short Reflection on the State of the World
I hope this message finds you in a moment of peace during the chaos that seems to envelop our world. It has been a while since I took a step back to focus on the basics, but recent events have drawn me back to share a few reflections with you.
The state of the world, as it stands, is nothing short of devastating. Trying to put into words the wars, the pain, and the sheer magnitude of suffering people are enduring feels like an impossible task. In the last few months, I have found myself grappling with just a couple of sentences, attempting to reconcile the harsh reality that the world is unravelling for countless people across the globe.
Last Sunday, on a pilgrimage to Kibeho, a sacred place where the Virgin Mary appeared to young girls in the 80s, the weight of the world's troubles pressed heavily on my heart. My prayer list, much like that of my friends, was a plea for peace in Palestine, relief in Congo, and solace in Sudan — the list seemed endless. Today, the news is a constant stream of tragedies, each story reduced to mere numbers — children, adults, and the elderly, all caught in the crossfire. It is a sobering thought: is this what growing up means? To become so acutely aware of the world's tragedies while navigating our struggles?
Perhaps, it is the interconnectedness of social media that has turned our planet into a global village, a place that feels simultaneously near, urgent, personal, yet strangely distant and inaccessible. The weight of it all can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling helpless.
Amid it, on that sacred journey, I found solace in prayer. I prayed for peace, freedom, and the resilience and hope we all desperately need in this gloomy season. It is a dreadful waiting game, but there is a glimmer of hope in the face of despair.
I encourage you to lean into your community, your loved ones, your faith, nature, or whatever it is that heals your soul and charges your spirit. We may not have all the answers, but together, we can find strength and hope to face whatever comes our way. Our collective action, prayers, and intentions can make a difference, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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